Neuer: "I was in another world" (English version)
Madrid - FC Bayern Munich made history on Wednesday night following their 3-1 penalty shoot-out win (2-1 after 90 minutes, 3-3 on aggregate) over Real Madrid in their Champions League semi-final: no other team has ever reached the final in their own stadium since the tournament's inauguration in 1992.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was the decisive figure in the nerve-jangling shoot-out, saving two penalties to ensure his side will be lining up against Chelsea at the Allianz Arena on 19th May. After joyous celebrations with his team-mates, the 26-year-old shot-stopper gave an insight into how it felt to have played such a crucial part in Bayern's success.
Question: Herr Neuer, has it sunk in yet that you've reached the Champions League final?
Neuer: Right after the final whistle I was full of adrenaline, but I was aware of what we'd just done. We're all ectastic!
Question: Can the team be praised highly enough for this achievement?
Neuer: It's not just the players who are responsible for reaching the final, but everyone involved at the club, both here and in Munich.
Question: You were the hero of the evening after saving penalties from both Ronaldo and Kaka in the shoot-out. What was going through your mind at the time?
Neuer: I knew I'd have to save at least one penalty. I was totally focused, in another world, so I can't say exactly what happened. I was just concentrating on the ball.
Question: Did you know where Ronaldo was going to shoot?
Neuer: When he took his penalty during the game I thought he'd put it in his favourite corner, but he didn't. Fortunately he did in the shoot-out.
Question: Are Bayern favourites over Chelsea going into the final?
Neuer: The chances are always 50-50 in a final, no matter who's playing. It's a knockout match and anything can happen. We're going to have to be fully focused once again.
Question: Would winning the Champions League salvage Bayern's season?
Neuer: We still have the chance to win two titles, but even if we end up empty-handed I wouldn't say this season was a failure.
Question: Herr Neuer, has it sunk in yet that you've reached the Champions League final?
Neuer: Right after the final whistle I was full of adrenaline, but I was aware of what we'd just done. We're all ectastic!
Question: Can the team be praised highly enough for this achievement?
Neuer: It's not just the players who are responsible for reaching the final, but everyone involved at the club, both here and in Munich.
Question: You were the hero of the evening after saving penalties from both Ronaldo and Kaka in the shoot-out. What was going through your mind at the time?
Neuer: I knew I'd have to save at least one penalty. I was totally focused, in another world, so I can't say exactly what happened. I was just concentrating on the ball.
Question: Did you know where Ronaldo was going to shoot?
Neuer: When he took his penalty during the game I thought he'd put it in his favourite corner, but he didn't. Fortunately he did in the shoot-out.
Question: Are Bayern favourites over Chelsea going into the final?
Neuer: The chances are always 50-50 in a final, no matter who's playing. It's a knockout match and anything can happen. We're going to have to be fully focused once again.
Question: Would winning the Champions League salvage Bayern's season?
Neuer: We still have the chance to win two titles, but even if we end up empty-handed I wouldn't say this season was a failure.
source:http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga/news/2011/0000210914.php
